Shane Murray Cote

Memorial services for Shane Murray Cote were held March 25, at Arriola Bible Church, in Dolores, Colo. Rev. Kent Slyter officiated.

Shane was born Sept. 30, 1968 in Portland, Maine. He went home to Glory on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

At a young age, Shane moved with his family from Maine to Wyoming where he spent his childhood growing up on the ranches of the west. He graduated from Saratoga High School in 1987. Wyoming was the perfect playground for Shane, providing endless opportunities for hunting, camping and fishing, passions that developed young and never left him. A natural athlete, Shane excelled in sports, competing in football, basketball and wrestling throughout junior high and high school.

After graduation, Shane enlisted in the Navy, serving from 1987 to 1992, including two tours on the U.S.S. Nimitz during Desert Storm. Shane was proud to have served his country though humble regarding his service and reluctant to take credit.

Shane's life-long dream was to be a veterinarian. He first experienced the life of a veterinarian at 13, working for “Doc” John Collamer at Saratoga Veterinary Clinic. He worked at the clinic until he graduated from high school, developing the skills and passion he later demonstrated in his professional career.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1992, he enrolled at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he studied animal science and pre-veterinary. During his time in college he never wavered from his ultimate goal of becoming a vet in his own right. He graduated with honors in 1996.

During his time at UW, Shane met Robyne Fulks, a fellow animal science major from Cedaredge, Colo. A friendship that began over shared study notes quickly developed into something more, and their relationship was cemented after a night that ended with the truck stuck in a snowbank and a long, cold walk back to town.

Staying true to his dream, Shane started classes at Colorado State University's School of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 1996. He was joined in Fort Collins, Colo., by Robyne in January of 1997. Small classes fostered intense friendships and camaraderie and it was a sweet time for the couple.

Shane and Robyne were married on Jan. 3, 1998, in Cedaredge. Fifteen years later, the day is remembered as one of the best weddings the couple ever attended. The newlyweds settled in Fort Collins, while Shane finished veterinary school and Robyne took graduate classes.

Shane graduated from CSU in May 2000, and immediately began working for the Carbon County Veterinary Hospital, in Rawlins. After two years, the family decided to leave Wyoming and moved to Cortez, where Shane accepted a job with Montezuma Veterinary Clinic. A professional to his core, Shane thrived at the local clinic, serving people and their animals across the county. He purchased the clinic in 2012, finally fulfilling his childhood dream.

The Cotes were blessed with three sons, Clayton Murray, Chance Daniel and Caden James. Shane loved being a father. He loved playing with his boys, whether it was throwing the football, wrestling them to the ground or simply making them laugh. His sons mattered to him and he was so proud of them. He was their greatest champion and they were his best friends. They were everything to him.

Shane loved being outdoors with his family. His passion for hunting, fishing and camping never waned. His other passion was horses. He loved to break and ride, and was remarkably talented at both. He was skilled with his hands, could fix anything and was up for any project Robyne hinted at.

Shane will be remembered as driven and goal-oriented with an overwhelming sense of duty. He was a compassionate man and offered his services for those in any kind of need. Those who knew him knew he cared for people from the depths of who he was. The things that marked him were his love for his family, his love for his Savior and his compassion for others.

Shane trusted Jesus Christ with his life and his heart and his faith was strong. He would read his Bible with tears in his eyes, overwhelmed by the grace and love of the God who saved him.

Shane was a good man, a wonderful father and a husband who loved his wife with all his heart. Words cannot express how much he will be missed.

Shane was proceeded in death by his grandfather, Dave Murray; grandmother, Leneda Murray; and aunt, Ann Okane; and stepfathers, George Pearson and Brent Taylor.

He is survived by his wife, Robyne Dee; sons, Clayton, Chance, Caden; mother Naida Taylor; sister, Leneda Davis and husband, Dusty; nephew Galen Davis; niece, Kacey Starr and husband, Daniel; grandniece, Bristol Starr; brother-in-law, Gerry Mack; cousins, Kim and Randy Sikes and Trevor and Derik Sikes; father and mother-in-law, Roger and Fran Fulks; sister-in-law, Heidi Folkers and husband, T.J.; sister-in-law, Tanis McCulloch and husband, Brian; nephews, Aaron and Aden Folkers; and nieces, Rieley and Haylin McCulloch.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Christian Discipleship Center, 24826 Road L, Cortez. A memorial fund has been established for the Cote boys at Citizens State Bank, 77 W. Main St., Cortez, Colo.